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Darnell Mooney vs DeVonta SmithWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DeVonta Smith is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.6 PPG to Darnell Mooney's 7.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

DeVonta Smith is the better fantasy play this season.

DeVonta Smith is the better play on a neutral week. 9.6 PPG with 1,008 yards gives a reliable baseline. Darnell Mooney at 7.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft DeVonta Smith higher, but do not fade Darnell Mooney entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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WRAtlanta Falcons#99
Darnell Mooney
PPG
7.5
Games
15
Rec
48
Rec Yds
612
Rec TDs
3
Targets
78
Bye
Week 12
WRPhiladelphia Eagles#34PPG LEADER
DeVonta Smith
PPG
9.6
Games
17
Rec
77
Rec Yds
1,008
Rec TDs
4
Targets
113
Bye
Week 10

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Darnell Mooney
DeVonta Smith

Head to Head

7.5 PPG9.6 PPG
15 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Darnell Mooney: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). DeVonta Smith: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #34 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Darnell Mooney is producing at 34% of elite pace and DeVonta Smith at 44%. That ranking gap means DeVonta Smith carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Darnell Mooney vs DeVonta Smith: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Darnell Mooney and DeVonta Smith is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Atlanta Falcons wide receiver put up 7.5 PPG in 2025 over 15 games; DeVonta Smith of the Philadelphia Eagles averaged 9.6 in 17. A 2.1-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 2.1 points favors DeVonta Smith, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one wide receiver to the other.

Target volume is the story here. DeVonta Smith saw 113 targets in 2025, while Darnell Mooney drew 78. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for DeVonta Smith, even in weeks where Darnell Mooney posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Darnell Mooney has his bye in Week 12, and DeVonta Smith rests in Week 10. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at wide receiver for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Darnell Mooney (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. DeVonta Smith (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • DeVonta Smith outscored Darnell Mooney by a projected 36 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • DeVonta Smith played 17 games in 2025 compared to Darnell Mooney's 15. That durability gap means DeVonta Smith contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • DeVonta Smith scored 4 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
  • DeVonta Smith saw 113 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Darnell Mooney vs DeVonta Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDarnell MooneyDeVonta Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)7.59.6
Games Played1517
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)113163
Receptions4877
Rec/Game3.24.5
Receiving Yards6121,008
Rec Yds/Game40.859.3
Receiving TDs34
Targets78113
Target Share/Game5.26.6
Age-27
Experience-4 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 12Week 10

Summary

9.6 PPG for DeVonta Smith versus 7.5 for Darnell Mooney in 2025. The baseline favors DeVonta Smith, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Darnell Mooney or DeVonta Smith in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, DeVonta Smith has the edge at 9.6 PPG compared to Darnell Mooney's 7.5 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Darnell Mooney and DeVonta Smith average in 2025?

Darnell Mooney averaged 7.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. DeVonta Smith averaged 9.6 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.1 points per game.

When are Darnell Mooney and DeVonta Smith's bye weeks in 2026?

Darnell Mooney (ATL) has a bye in Week 12, and DeVonta Smith (PHI) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Darnell Mooney or DeVonta Smith a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?

DeVonta Smith outscored Darnell Mooney by 2.1 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.